Project Management Specialists vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $7,150 more per year than Registered Nurses professionals — that's 7.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Project Management Specialists earns $165,790 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Project Management Specialists | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $59,830 | $66,030 | $-6,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,950 | $78,610 | $-1,660 |
| Median (50th) | $100,750 | $93,600 | +$7,150 |
| 75th Percentile | $131,660 | $107,960 | +$23,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $165,790 | $135,320 | +$30,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $108,100 | $98,430 | +$9,670 |
Employment Numbers
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Project Management Specialists or Registered Nurses?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,150 (7.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Project Management Specialists and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Project Management Specialists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Project Management Specialists has a median salary of $100,750 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS